'51 Chevy is son's connection to deceased father

Monday

Oct 27, 2008 at 2:00 AM

We walk around car shows and look at some really great cars. Some have beautiful paint jobs, while others have beauty in the motor. Then there are some cars that don't look like anything much to some people. There may be a little rust on them and the interior may be worn, but the owners put them in the shows not even concerned about winning a trophy. Whether the car's a pristine classic or one that was just pulled out of a field, it's the pride and what the car means to them that have brought them to the show. I came across such a car at a show recently.

Donna Kessler

We walk around car shows and look at some really great cars. Some have beautiful paint jobs, while others have beauty in the motor. Then there are some cars that don't look like anything much to some people. There may be a little rust on them and the interior may be worn, but the owners put them in the shows not even concerned about winning a trophy. Whether the car's a pristine classic or one that was just pulled out of a field, it's the pride and what the car means to them that have brought them to the show. I came across such a car at a show recently.

Bob Rose of Stony Point loved his 1951 Chevy Deluxe. He bought it about 12 years ago, completely stock, and worked on it almost every day. Sadly, Bob passed away in February, never getting to see his car finished.

His son, Bob Jr., has picked up where his father left off. In fact, he got it in good enough shape to drive it in his father's funeral.

The car is a sparkling Ruby Red Slipper red, painted by A to Z Auto of Haverstraw. White primer in the back and black primer in the front give it a fade appearance from light to dark. Under the hood is a 327 motor from a 1959 Chevy Impala, and the rear is out of a 1968 Camaro SS.

Most of the custom work was done on the front end. His father shaved off the door handles and took off all the chrome molding, giving a smooth uninterrupted finish to the body. His father liked the plain, simple look and Bob Jr. continues with that style. Bob Jr. plans on restoring the interior next and then it will be about finished. "Right now I'm just taking it around to car shows," Bob Jr. said. "I've taken it to about six already this year."

Keeping his father's memory alive and taking care of one of the things he loved the most is Bob Jr.'s mission. It is a four-wheel tribute to his father. "MEMORY" is on the license plate, and the back window is inscribed with "In loving memory of Bob Rose 7-22-1946 — 2-24-08."

I'm sure his father is sitting proudly behind the steering wheel of his beautiful, finished 1951 Chevy Deluxe. Rest in peace, Bob.